Tyrannosaur

Actor Paddy Considine makes his feature debut as a writer-director with this gripping, brutal drama about two lost and lonely people trying to find a connection amid the despair that wracks their lives. Considine was wise to cast the brilliant Peter Mullan as his lead, Joseph, an unemployed alcoholic who cannot control his rage. The film opens with him kicking his dog to death out of frustration after an altercation. Clearly, this character won't be easy to love, but Mullan radiates broken humanity, and we quickly begin hoping that Joseph can somehow be redeemed. Joseph stumbles into a charity shop run by Hannah (Olivia Colman). Best known for her comedic roles, Colman matches Mullan's complex empathy in depicting Hannah's struggle to maintain her faith in God and humanity in the face of the ugly abuse she endures from her wealthy husband, James (Eddie Marsan). The movie is shot meticulously, its drained palette like a dull ache, and its frequent close-ups ruthlessly examining these wounded characters. There are flashes of hope and joy, and moments of peace. Tremendous tension stems from our understanding that the walls will probably crash in at any moment. At times, James comes off as a bit of a stock villain, but beyond that, Tyrannosaur is a powerhouse debut.